The report also said Vietnam exported 1.1 million tonnes of rice, down 23 percent in volume and 18 percent in value compared to the same period last year.

China remained the largest rice importer in the reviewed time with 448,000 tonnes, making up 41 percent of the total rice exports, followed by the Philippines and Africa with 20 percent and 13 percent, respectively. 
Average price of rice export in Q1 reached 432 USD per tonne, up 27.7 USD per tonne against last year. Rice price in March climbed to some 445 USD per tonne, increasing 42.8 USD due to a surge in domestic rice price. 
According to Huynh The Nang, Chairman of VFA, many key rice importers of Vietnam, particularly in Southeast Asia, have switched their rice import mechanisms from inter-governmental deals to trade deals of private companies or liberalise rice trade.
He added that Vietnam’s rice exporters should prepare to better adapt to market demand in the future.